Helena, welcome to Fall. Officially, Fall began September 22. But I already knew Fall was coming. My wife wanted to head to Glacier! So how do you know Fall is in the air?
Science tells us that Fall comes when our part of the earth tilts away from the sun. That’s true – but such an observation simply deals with intriguing mechanics – massive though they are.
What if we get personal and ask: “God, why did you establish seasons?”
Genesis 1:14 tells us: “God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years.'”
Given that foundation, regarding the seasons, let’s see if we can think some of God’s thoughts after him.
Let’s start with the basic Hebrew word we translate as “seasons.” We also translate it as “to appoint” or “to designate.” Those are honorable words. “Susan was ‘appointed’ as county commissioner.” “Jared was ‘designated’ to lead his company’s sales.” Such honor applies to Fall. The distinct persons of the Triune God – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – chose to set apart Fall as a unique season.
And, also like the Trinity’s unity, the Hebrew word for ‘season’ carries with it the idea of agreement. The prophet Amos uses our word when he asks: “Can two walk together except they ‘agree’? So we are not surprised when the Bible uses our word to describe a ‘betrothed’ couple. Likewise, this word pictures people gathering together so they can ‘meet’ with God in worship – whether in regular gatherings or in specially set apart feasts of the LORD. Such distinguished “appointed feasts” were treasured. During exile, the Jews deeply missed these celebrations.
Now that we have a better feel for the contours of words associated with the Biblical word for “seasons,” let’s bring our understanding home.
What if we attempt to divorce God from the seasons – what if all we see is merely the result of time and chance? And what if we go further and deny the love of God in Christ? In his “Chronicles of Narnia,” C.S. Lewis described such a godless world as one where it was “always winter but never Christmas.” But there is Christmas, and there are seasons!
If God had created the earth with no tilt – no seasons – regions like Montana – places further from the equator – would receive less sunlight and be much less habitable. Apparently, God wanted us to experience the grandeur of our world from the far north to the far south. God added seasons to establish and embellish earth’s general grandeur. What a gift!
C.S. Lewis notes another reason God made seasons. In his book, “The Screwtape Letters,” we eavesdrop on a series of conversations between demons trying to outwit the Enemy (their name for God) for a man’s soul. Screwtape explains: “Humans experience reality successively. Since they need change, the Enemy has made change pleasurable to them, just as He has made eating pleasurable. But since He does not wish them to make change an end in itself, He has balanced the love of change in them with a love of permanence. He has contrived to gratify both tastes together by the union of change and permanence we call Rhythm. He gives them seasons, each season different yet every year the same, so that spring is always felt as a novelty yet always as the recurrence of an immemorial theme.”
Well done, Lewis! We need Change, Permanence, and their union, Rhythm.
With Lewis, let’s be glad it’s not always Fall and be delighted it’s Fall now. We Montanans say, “Bring on the days when we travel to the mountains.” As if it was our first time, we look forward to being startled by the aspen glow energizing an alpine backdrop of somber evergreens. And when sunlight smiles through the clouds upon those aspens, its searing snap crackle pop ignites an unforgettable yellow. What joy; it’s Fall in Montana.
Even as the exiles missed the feasts of the LORD, how we Montanans would miss our appointed seasons. Somehow others live in places where seasons are not so unique. But, we Montanans love our distinctive seasons.
Now, stick with me as we explore a related subject. We live in a broken world. Still, seasons are God’s gifts. Likewise, despite their problems, the seasons of life have elements of God’s blessings.
A pastor/friend in his 60’s, Joe, recently told me that he wants to finish well. He wrote or called several pastors who had walked this road before him and asked for their advice. Many repeated these themes: “It’s difficult to finish well. People simply don’t listen to me like they used to. My leadership is not respected as it once was.”
We might get stuck wondering: “What happened? Is this bigotry against those who grow older? Or, how did that pastor fail?”
Joe went further and remembered the focus Ed Clowney, a prof from seminary days, gave to the three offices of Jesus – Prophet, Priest, and King. Prophets focus on their message – so do many pastors. But, what if being a “prophet” is not God’s purpose for some pastors as they grow old? Kings lead – and often pastors do too. Likewise, what if being a “king” is not what God has for some pastors as they age? What if – for pastors and many others – prophet and king are roles for previous seasons of life? What if God’s focus for many during the “Fall” of our lives is being a “priest?”
As Americans, we like action. We are not comfortable with priestly duties – especially prayer. We forget the radical promises Jesus makes regarding prayer. We forget how he prays.
Three years ago, I asked a dynamic businessman to come to my office. I needed his feedback. I thought he would give me a quick answer and leave. Instead, after an hour and a half, we talked about things beyond both of us. I asked if I could pray. He told me he had walked away from the church 40 years ago – but he said: “Go ahead: pray.” Later, he called and said: “Steve, I can’t get your prayer out of my head. Let’s meet again next week.” Our friendship has blossomed – and so has his renewed relationship with God and the church.
Recently, a man who was suicidal called. We talked for two hours. When I asked if we could pray, he wanted to. I wondered if he would like to pray first. He did. And, he repeated the Lord’s Prayer. After I prayed, he said: “I didn’t know we could talk to God like that.”
To whom do you go when you need prayer? Wouldn’t you like your “priest” to be someone who has lived in God’s presence for decades? To whom does a prophet go for prayer? A “priest.” To whom does a king go for prayer? A “priest.” My sister-in-law, a member of Joe’s church, told me that when Joe needs prayer, he goes to Mrs. Smartt, an 80+-year-old woman whose body has betrayed her – but her ability to speak to God on behalf of others is vital. She is “like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season” (Psalm 1:3). Joe suggested: “Nursing homes could be populated with prayer warriors – with parking lots full of the vehicles of those who come for prayer.”
In what season are you? God has appointed – designated – this time of life for you. As the Hebrews of old cherished the “appointed festivals of the LORD,” may we honor our personal “season.” And when we struggle with where we are, let’s find someone who will pray for us and with us. For those in the “season of the priest,” as we hear others tell of their troubles, let’s boldly/humbly ask: “May I pray for you?” Folks may be startled. But, even as glowing aspens energize somber evergreens, so the “priests of Fall” may help those in need see the radiant smile of heaven through their clouds.
Fall, what a season!
